How to Write a Conference Report

Business conferences give leaders of industry a chance to get together and discuss the changes that are going on in their field. These conferences are often wide ranging, with a number of speakers and a great number of topics that are covered. If you have the job of writing the conference report, you should write it from the perspective of covering all the highlights and make sure everyone knows the key points that were addressed.

Make a list of who all the key people were at the conference and write a line or two on what they spoke about at the event. Provide their current position and the background that gives them the authority to speak on their chosen subjects.

Write down the original goal of the conference. Your business may be going through a technological revolution and it's important to keep everyone informed of the latest changes. For example, your industry has undergone a major change in leadership and this conference will outline its new direction. That would be the theme statement of your report.

Write down the highlights from the speaker who has talked about the legal changes in your business. While it's a good idea to note new trends, it's essential that everyone is informed when the law has changed and how it impacts your business. This will likely be one of the most well-attended meetings at the conference. If you are unclear about any of the speaker's main points, ask him about them afterwards.

Talk to other key people at the conference and get their opinion on the most important subjects discussed. If you have 25 years of experience in the business, this may be easy. But if you don't have that kind of history, you will want to speak with those who do. You don't want to waste time and space on issues that are not that important and you don't want to short-shrift any other issues that are vitally important.

Write your report and finish it within 72 hours of the conference. It is important to get the information out to those who were in attendance and to those who were unable to make it. Read over your report at least twice before you send it out to your audience if you don't have an editor to check your grammar, spelling and key facts. It's always better to let another pair of eyes check your work before sending it to the target audience.